Name: Zooey Deschanel

Birth Name: Zooey Claire Deschanel

Birthdate: Jan. 17, 1980

Birthplace: Los Angeles

If you don't immediately put Zooey Deschanel's unusual name to her face, that shouldn't necessarily be a surprise. The actress prides herself on being able to completely transform herself both offscreen (she collects costumes and vintage dresses) and onscreen, whether she's playing a rock-and-roller (Almost Famous), Will Ferrell's department-store love interest (Elf) or an institutionalized anorexic (Manic). She grew up in a show-biz family: Her dad is Caleb Deschanel, Oscar-nominated cinematographer; mom and sis are both actresses; and she's traveled the world from set to set. She landed a manager at 16, made her movie debut as a high school senior in Lawrence Kasdan's Mumford and is primarily known for indie films rather than blockbusters.


1. She prefers staying in and playing board games to the Hollywood nightlife scene.
2. Jason Schwartzman was her first boyfriend. She was 19.
3. She was named after the character in J.D. Salinger's Franny & Zooey.
4. She attended private school with Kate Hudson. Therefore, when Sarah Polley dropped out of the lead in Almost Famous and Kate replaced her, Zooey received the role of Kate's friend.
5. She is a self-described workaholic.


"I think the people who become the most famous aren't necessarily these genetic products of the weird American beauty ideal. I mean, all those Playboy bunny types. They're not filling seats in the theater."
— British GQ, 2000

Father: Caleb Deschanel, cinematographer; born Sept. 21, 1944
Mother: Mary Jo Deschanel, actress; born 1945
Sister: Emily Deschanel, actress; born Oct. 11, 1976

 

FILMS

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - (2007) - Actor
Live Free or Die - (2007) - Actor
Surf's Up - (2007) - Voice
Bridge to Terabithia - (2007) - Actor
Failure to Launch - (2006) - Actor
Winter Passing - (2006) - Actor
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - (2005) - Actor
Eulogy - (2004) - Actor
Once Upon A Mattress - (2004) - Actor
All the Real Girls - (2003) - Actor
Elf - (2003) - Actor
Manic - (2003) - Actor
Abandon - (2002) - Actor
The New Guy - (2002) - Actor
Big Trouble - (2002) - Actor
The Good Girl - (2002) - Actor
Almost Famous - (2000) - Actor